Jewish Democrats Hail Executive Action on Immigration

Washington, D.C. - On the eve of the President’s immigration announcement, National Jewish Democratic Council Chair Greg Rosenbaum released the following statement:

“As Chairman of the National Jewish Democratic Council, I applaud President Obama for taking appropriate executive actions to fix our broken immigration system. Let’s remember that Presidents from Eisenhower through Bush have utilized executive orders to help allay the immigration issues in our country.

“There is no question that our immigration system has been broken for too long. More than 500 days ago the Senate passed a bipartisan immigration bill, upon which the House Republicans have refused to act. Every minute Congress fails to act, millions of people who live in the shadows but want to play by the rules—and pay taxes—have no way to live within the law and contribute to our country.

“The Jewish Community has long benefited from immigration policy in the United States. As a community we have too often been strangers in new lands. Jewish experience and tradition teach us to welcome the stranger and help those most vulnerable among us.

“Leviticus 19:34 says: “The alien who lives among you shall be as a citizen.”

“NJDC commends the President for choosing action over inaction and hopes that Congress will follow suit in passing overall comprehensive immigration reform.”